Francisco Martin ~ 1764 Will

Know ye all that I, Francisco Martin, am sick and execute this testament.

I ask that I be buried at the church of San Juan, near the steps and to Our Lady of Guadalupe, at the same.

I elect and appoint my son, Julian, as executor and my wife, Casilda Contreras, as the keeper of my estate.

I declare that I was married to Casilda Contreras, and from this marriage we had eleven children:  Antonio, Juana, Juan Francisco, Pedro, Josefa, Manuel, Salvador, Maria, Barbara, Julian, Luisa – all Martines, who are my legitimate children and heirs.

I declare that I own a house which contains four rooms within the boundaries of the parcel of this place, which I declare is shown by the documents.

I declare that I have twenty head of cattle of all ages, eleven cows, one bull, one bullock and three yoke of oxen.

One cart complete, two plows and one plow-point complete.

I declare that I have fifteen head of sheep and fifteen goats.

Six mules, four gentle and two wild.

Three horses broken to the bridle.

Seven mares wild and one gentle, and one other wild and a horse colt.

Two old pick axes and two old wooden plow points.

One adze, two chisels, two axes and one saw.

I declare that I do not owe any person a single real.

I declare that I have eight sickles.

Two large hogs and three small.

I declare that I have three women servants; they are free, but remain with my wife so she can take care of them and they will not be left to run around as vagabonds.

One branding iron.

I declare that I own one barrel for one and another for two flasks and one saddle complete.

I find myself, that all my lands and other goods are divisible in equal parts among my legitimate children, as brothers and sisters.

I declare no other testament.

I, Francisco Sisneros, the deputy for the alcalde mayor, certify and make the witnesses, Miguel Medina and Miguel Duran, residents of this kingdom on November 14, 1764.

Signed, Francisco Antonio Sisneros (rubric); Julian Martin, Cristobal Lorenzo Lovato.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 565

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Mateo Mestas ~ 1764 Will

I, Mateo Mestas, a legitimate son of Juan de Mestas and Casilda Lopez, residents of this jurisdiction of the villa of Santa Cruz de la Cañada, being sick in bed, I order and direct this testament and last will.

I, he said Reverend Father, acting according to the will of the Testator, name as executors and keepers of the property first, Ignacio Mestas, second, Bartholo Mestas, children of said Testator; they shall comply with this last will.

The said Reverend Father, declared that the said Testator, stated, that he had been married two times, according to the mandates of Our Holy Mother Church.  First, with Raphaela Cortes, from which marriage they had six children, four are living and two are dead.  They are:  Juan Mestas, Casilda, Juana and Bartholo.  The two dead are Cristobal and Francisca.  The second wife was Maria Antonia Sandoval, from which marriage we did not have any children; wherefore, I declare as my legitimate children, those form the first marriage.

I declare, that whatever property we have, it was obtained through the work of my wife Raphaela and of me.

I declare, that the part of my property which belonged to my deceased wife, I have divided the same among my children, as I will appear from the partition made the Father, who was acting for the deceased.

I declare that my wife left under my care two calves which are here.

I declare that our house belonged to my wife, Maria Antonia Sandoval; said house consists of four rooms with the little furniture belonging thereto.

I declare that I have one house adjoining this one, which consists of one hall and two rooms, which I bought from my son, Ignacio, with one cow.

One parcel of land consisting of two hundred and first varas, more or less.

Four mares, three one year old mules, one black horse.

Thirteen cows, one calf.

Five oxen.

One riding saddle with iron stirrups, one bridle.

Two hoes, one axe, one boring bit, one adze, one plow share, nine sickles.

One comal of iron, two kettles, one iron axe, two kettles, one small caldron, one pair of spurs, one hoe, one plane and one branding iron.

I declare this to be my last will with my children heirs; I leave to Maria Antonia Sandoval, my second wife, the house and furniture belonging with it.

I request the said alcalde mayor, Joseph Esquivel, to authorize it, by interposing this judicial decree.

I, he said Lt. Alcalde Mayor certify that I know the Testator herein, and that he is perfectly sound in mind.  And that I interposed my judicial decree, at said villa of Santa Cruz de la Cañada, October 6, 1764.  Acting with the witnesses of my assistance in the absence of a public or royal scribe, there being none in this Kingdom.  And that it may so appear I signed with the witnesses.

To all of which I certify.  Joseph Esquibel, (rubric); Assisting witnesses: Juan Luis Cano Saens, (rubric); at the request of Pedro de Oliva, Luis Cano Saenz, (rubric)

Endorsement, testament in favor of the heirs of Bartholo Mestas year of 1764

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell #564

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Getrudis Martin ~ Estate 1762

The wife of Bernardo Madrid and secondly, Lazaro Atencio.  Her son asks for her estate to be valued for his part of the inheritance.  This begins of August 9, 1762 as she died without a will or testament.

A ranch and house.
Eight mares.
One - one year old colt.
One colt and two fillys.
Two, 1-2 year old horse mules.
One, 1 year old stud jack.
One stud horse.
Two hoes, one is broken.
One small cutter.
One axe.
One adze.
Two chisels.
One big auger.
One hand saw.
One copper spit.
One flat iron pan.
Once corn and two wheat grinding stones.
Two wooden boxes.
An altar with images.
One pair of scarlet cloth skirts.
One pair of serge skirts.
One pair of skirts worn and torn, worthless.
Two ladies shirts.
One ladies shawl.
One pair of worsted stockings.
One pair of ladies shoes.
One pound of chocolate.
One bottle of wine.
Native soap.
Three yokes of oxen.
One cow and yearling calf.
Three horses, one gray, one iron gray and another gray.
One corral of posts.
Some fruit trees.
The four cornfields.
A portion of land planted in wheat which produced 30 1/2 measures, valued at 122 pesos.
One new cart.
One second hand cart.
Two pack saddles, one new without girdle and the other with.
A measure of small tomatoes.

Signed Carlos Fernandes (rubric).

The said settlement and amount of the estate was $1,650 pesos.  Less costs for threshing and cleaning the wheat, tithes of the fruit for a total of $42 pesos.  Fees for appraisers, witnesses and judge fees, plus trips, $50 pesos.  The subtotal of $1,558 pesos to be divided between the husband (Atencio) and the son, Cristobal Madrid; basically $776 pesos each.  Signed September 6, 1762.

Carlos Fernandez, with witnesses:  Francisco Antonio Sisneros, Francisco Sanchez.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 599.
©Henrietta M. Christmas

Miguel Martin Serrano ~ Will 1753

I, Miguel Martin Serrano, declare this shall be valid as my last will.

I ask that my body be buried in the church of San Ildefonso, with the shroud of St. Francis.

I was married with Maria Archuleta and we had as legitimate children:  Agustin, Juan Pablo, Isidro, Juan Pablo, Manuela, and Josefa, who I declare as my legitimate heirs. 

I appoint as my executors and keepers of my property, my sons, Jose and Pablo.

I declare as my property, one ranch belonging to my wife, which she inherited from her parents, and one house with eight rooms as it will appear from the partition.

I declare that I have another ranch in Abiquiu as a grant as it will appear from the deeds, also one house with three rooms.

I declare that I have six mules.  Two belong to my wife and four to Jose my son.  These do not enter in the partition.

Also one cow saddle, all my arms and my clothing, one cape; these I leave to my son Jose.

Three plow shares, three hoes, one ax, one adze and one boring bit, one flat pan and one spit.  Also, 18 goats and 150 fleece of wool.

Also seven horses, one mare and one colt.

Also I declare that Ascencio Archuleta owes me three horses.  I order that the same be recovered.  Also one horse which Juan Bautista de Tafoya owes me.  Felipe Sais, also owes me, one horse, and three buckskins.  I order the same to be collected.  Also one buckskin, 300 adobes which the Indian Juachimillo owes me, I order them collected.

The Indian also owes me 800 adobes and one buckskin, I order them collected.

I declare that the Indian, Tadeo, owes me 200 adobes.

I declare that the Indian Migelillo, owes me 200 adobes, which formerly belonged to the deceased Juan Antonio Lujan, I order the same be collected.

I declare that Jose Dominguez owes me 11 carts full of fence posts, I order that the same be collected.

I also owe one buckskin to don Manuel Saens.

I owe one buckskin to Ignacio Chaves.

I owe Tomas Madril, of San Buenaventura, one old plough share, one small carder, one small flat pan, I order all these to be paid.

I also owe one hoe to Hilario Archuleta, I order it paid.

I declare that my property above I refer to, there shall be paid eighteen masses which shall be paid for the good of my soul.

I declare that I bought, under my own name, one parcel of land, which I bought from Jose de Ramos, the same belongs to my son, Jose.

Signed on this 5^th day of June 1753.  Miguel Martin Serrano, rubric

Witnesses: Hilario Archuleta, judge;  Francisco and Juan Gomez del Castillo, rubrics

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Series I, Twitchell 546, Reel 3, Frames 1020-1023.

©Henrietta M. Christmas

Margarita Martin ~ Estate 1744

Carlos Fernandez, a resident of the jurisdiction of San Geronimo de Taos, in the name of my wife, doña Juana Padilla, and appearing in her own behalf and lending voice and complaint for her brothers and sisters, the minor children of Juan Padilla, now deceased, and of Margarita Martin, now deceased and of don Bernardo Roybal, the second husband of the said deceased, we appear before you…

In Santa Fe on August 8 1744, before me Joachin Codallos y Rabal, Governor asked that an inventory be made of all the property of the deceased.

At this town of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Rio Arriva, on August 4, 1744, I don, Francisco Ortiz, went to the house of the deceased with Juan Garcia de la Mora, there appeared at a hearing before Captain Sebastian Martin, with the papers, which as executor of the deceased, Juan Padilla, were held in favor of the minors…which from the paternal side, had fallen to the children of the first marriage of the above mentioned Margarita Martin.

Immediately, I, the Chief Justice, having separated the chattels which the paternal bequest of the deceased, Juan Padilla, which came as the share of doña Juana Padilla and doña Barbara Padilla and to their two brothers, the youths, Julian and Tomas;  I now have appointed two disinterested persons, Juan Jose Pacheco and Hermenjildo Sisneros.  Signed Francisco Ortiz

The inventory:

Some residences which contain a parlor, kitchen, pantry and two bedroom 320 pesos.

Another house of two stories, now old, with two living room and three rooms, with a piece of land, together with thirty four fruit trees, 290 pesos.

Twenty-seven cows and calves, 675 pesos.

Nineteen cows, but dry ones, at 380 pesos.

Three bull oxen, 60 pesos.

Two gelding oxen, gentle, 50 pesos.

Six yearlings and year old heifers, half and half, 48 pesos.

Seven pack horses, gently, amounting to 105 pesos.

304 head of sheet, goats, etc., 608 pesos.

193 Lambs, 194 pesos.

Seven strings of black pearls at 160 pesos.

Four and ¼ varas of wine colored woolen cloth, 85 pesos.

19 ½ varas of serge, 6 ½ varas were given to Juana Padilla and another to Barbara Padilla and the other stayed with Bernardo Roybal, 78 pesos.

10 varas of narrow black ribbon with silver flowers, 100 pesos.

Six varas of lace, Mexican, 40 pesos.

A scarf, with silver fringe, new at 40 pesos.

Another one at 30 pesos.

Some scarlet cloth skirts, used, at 20 pesos.

Some drawn work shirt sleeves, women’s 20 pesos.

A purple blue satin cloak, lined with bright pink satin, 30 pesos.

Some sleeves of British linen for a lady, embroidered in silk, in the possession of Barbara Padilla, 10 pesos.

A purple Polleza de Piquin, now used, 50 pesos.

An embroidered shawl, with gloss, 40 pesos.

A bronze, Crucifix, good, 25 pesos.

Two small paintings of Saint Isabel, 2 pesos.

Some slippers, now used, 26 pesos.

An axe at 5 pesos.

A chisel at 3 pesos.

A scythe at 3 pesos.

Two hoes at 4 pesos.

A large copper saucepan, now broken 2 pesos.

Another of the same, medium size, good condition, 10 pesos.

A long narrow cart, used, 20 pesos.

Another of the same, 12 pesos.

A small wooden bench, 4 pesos.

A small wheel barrow, 15 pesos.

A pine table, 6 pesos.

A wooden chair without arms, 1 peso.

A chest from Michoacán, lock and key, 12 pesos.

A high wooden bed with small posts, 10 pesos.

Six medium sized china plates, 18 pesos.

An old copper water jar, 1 peso.

A stable with walls, 22 pesos.

A cake griddle, 4 pesos.

Two sieves black and white with their handles, 2 pesos.

A harp for playing, 40 pesos.

A metate, 2 pesos.

A lot of land, two razors, 2 pesos.

Also a lot of land, which Captain Sebastian Martin transferred to the deceased which appear to contain 618 varas in length and 239.  New total, 30,747 pesos.

The same land, a little more or less, under irrigation, at 470 pesos.  Although they do not belong in the dower they belong to the dower.

Another tract of land, which is located in the valley of San Geronimo de Taos, between two rivers, which came as a grant to both of the deceased, Juan de Padilla and Margarita Martin, during their married life, 400 pesos.

A wild mare with colt, which belongs to the estate, Jose Antonio Naranjo, 15 pesos.

Two pieces of property redeemed and appraised accordingly, 200 pesos.

Another of the same condition, 75 pesos.

Total of 40,997 pesos.

Also 250 pesos, which apparently have been withdrawn from the estate for Novena and funeral Masses and internment, new total of 50,017 pesos.

The sum of 3,296 pesos which were part of a dowry which don Bernardo Roybal, her second husband, had mortgaged.   Said Roybal is guardian for the three minor children.

The division goes on between Barbara, Juana, Julian and Tomas Padilla.  The three Roybal minors who are Maria, Tomas and Rosa are also named in the disposition.

Bernardo Roybal ends up with the pearls at 160 pesos, amongst other household items, animals and so amounting to 10,044 pesos.

Juana Padilla, 10,088 pesos. Along with harp, which her husband took, which her grandmother had made to his wife so that his wife might learn to play.

For the estate of the minors, Julian and Tomas, 10,088 pesos each.

Signed Sebastian Martin, rubric, Francisco Ortiz, judge

Aid of: Juan Garcia de la Mora, rubric and Jose Antonio de la Torre, rubric.  Jose Martin and Juan Jose Pacheco.

References:  Spanish Archives of New Mexico, Twitchell 530, Reel 3, Frames 858-893.

 ©Henrietta M. Christmas